The group of officials from the Ministry of Power, Power Grid Corporation, Renewable Energy Corporation, and several state utilities in India attended classroom sessions and visited American power utilities. At the utilities, participants learned how to utilize Smart Grid technology to reduce power losses, manage peak load, and integrate renewable energy to meet increasing expectations of customers and regulators.  The delegation also observed the simulation of an entire grid operation in a Smart Grid-enabled environment and learned about real-time digital simulation of power systems, Direct Current distribution, and home energy management and efficiency. Throughout the tour, the officers gained first-hand experience in the operation of Smart Grid technology in a large and diverse country and a competitive market environment. 

Smart Grid training is a part of the Ministry of Power, Government of India and USAID’s Distribution Reforms, Upgrades, and Management (DRUM) program.  The program aims to improve energy efficiency by showcasing best practices and technologies through three Centers of Excellence and by building a cadre of trained distribution professionals and technicians.  Since 2005, the DRUM program has trained 37,125 professionals and created a network of 20 Indian training institutes.  The Centre for Power Efficiency in Distribution (CENPEID), a Tata Power training institute, and the U.S. based Quanta Technology jointly designed and conducted the Smart Grid pilot training.